The Grenada gazette., 1887-06-11

l NOuuS law XlStuOAs @hu - cSS'AsS>~ w.
be conceded that he would be the
one to carry of the prize. The only
horse that could compare with judy in
speed. and be relied upon not to swervs
from straight course, was big black
animal belonging to Sam Brcen. an
old man who had been famous hunter
in his day. but had recently been lamed
by a severe fall. Riding was out Of
the question for him, and he had never
allowed any one else to mount Black
Eagle. But there were six besides Dave
who had entered their names as com.
petitors, and among them was kof
Hartley, who lived with his old mother
way up Oh the mountain side. and
whose only steed was dccrepit white
mule. which could be goaded into a
pace faster than walk only at the
cost Of unceasing labor with stout
cudgel.
Dave. walking Judy slowly down the
mountain path. laughed as he thought
of the ridiculous figure Rob would cut
on old Obed, and wondered what the
boy could be thinking Of, and If he un.
derstood what tournament was.
But his laugh died abruptly away as
a sudden turn in the path brought him
almost upon little clearing in the
vast stretch of dark, uninhabited for.
est, in the middle of which stood lit
tie log cabin of two rooms. divided by
a wide entry.
1t was Rob's home, and his mother
"a forlorn figure in her coarse, home
spun dress, slat sun-bonnet, and cow
hide shoes-leaned over the rail fence,
a bucket in her hand.
1t seemed to Dave that a shadow fell
across her face as she saw him, and
her voice quivered as she asked if he
were going to the tournament.
Rob heared yestiday as how ye'd
give it up" she said.
Il amt he'd no thought O. sech a
thing" answered Dave. Il want ter
know how it feels to have twenty-five
dollars in my pocket" The woman
drew a long, deep breath.
'It's all up with Rob, then," she
said, in low, despairing tone. "When
he heared you'd pulled out he got the
promise o Sam Breen's horse, m he
made sure O. the prize. Mercy knows
we need it bad enough. But Rob, he
amt the rider you be. He won't
stand no chance now."
She turned abruptly and went into
the cabin, closing the door of the
kitchen behind her. And Dave, no
longer in CHEEKY mood, rode on again.
a perplexed look on his honest. sum
burned face.
II amt called on ter give it up-it's
too much to ask. We uns need the
money, too," he muttered.
Then he remembered that when he
had run rake prong into his foot,
Rob's mother had toiled up to Mandy's
cabin every day to dress the wound,
and had torn up the only piece of fine
muslin she possessed to make band
age, And years ago, when he had
been left mothGrless, with no one to
care for him save sister only few
years older than himself, Mrs. Hartley
had given him food and shelter for
months at time.
Il amt never done nothin' ter square
accounts with her; that's fact" he
muttered, as he recalled these things.
Il reckon I'd be mean hound to run
agin Rob now. II won't do it, and
the heavy sigh which accompanied the
words showed what it cost to utter
them.
There was a great crowd at the scene
of the tournament, and the excitement
was intense. Dave stood little apart,
but in good view of the track, his arm
about Judy's neck. He had briefly an.
nounced that he did not intend to ride,
and had refused any explanation, even
to Howard Hilton, who was much dis.
appointed at his decision.
AS the horses dashed up the track
amid cheers and cries from the crowd,
Judy paved the ground impatiently,
and turned her large, soft eyes again
and again upon her masters face, as il
seeking to read there why she, too, was
not allowed to show her PAGES.
But Dave stood in silence by her, his
eyes ever upon the lank, awkward
figure Of Rob Hartley, seated on Black
Eagle. Not far away, leaning against
a tree, he saw the boys mother with q
faded red shawl about her thir
shoulders.
The contest was spirited one; ever,
competitor did his best the fact o.
Dawes withdrawal having allowed
hope to creep into the hearts of ever
the poorest riders; but Rob Hartley
came off victor, and Dave, with q
| etro,ro ,>,,p eov thu ,>,.;yo ,,,o rJ n =